if i runaway can my mom call the cops?

[ccsmod2]

Thank you for reaching out to us and asking us about moving out. Unfortunately, we aren’t legally trained here so we can’t say for sure what would happen if you were to leave home but we can give you some general ideas or help you find some resources to help you out. It was very brave of you to contact us and hopefully we can help you out. Can you tell us a little more about what’s going on that makes you want to leave home?

You asked if it was ok for you to move out at 17; in most states, a youth is considered to be a minor until they turn 18 years old. If you were to leave home without your parent’s permission, they may have the option to file a runaway report with the local police. In most states, running away is considered to be a status offense which is something you can’t do when you are still a minor so it’s usually not considered to be illegal. If your parents filed a report and the police located you, they may take you back to the police department and contact your parents to let them know where you are. Also, in some states, if a youth is very close to turning 18, the police may not take a report from their parents but again, we can’t say for sure. If you would like to talk with the police or discuss other options you may have, you can give us a call here at anytime.

Here at the National Runaway Safeline, we are a confidential and anonymous hotline for youth in crisis. You can reach us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) but we also have online chat services that are available from 4:30 PM-11:30 PM (CST) if you are more comfortable talking that way; that can be found on our website (www.1800runaway.org).

We look forward to hearing from you and wish you the best of luck!

~NRS

[Unregistered]

Help

My grandma is putting more stress on me I'm only 16 she's put me out lots of times called the cops I've been arrested I have to see a concelor part of the reason I've deloped an eating disorder cus of all the times she called me fat wh*res n stuff now im small loss lots of weight she calls me a crack head etc please if there's anyway possible I can leave without her calling the cops please tell me because my stress level ton the max I'm very very scared ima have a bad nerves breakdown or something
-Thanks

[ccsmod11]

RE: Help

Hi,

Thank you for posting on the National Runaway Safeline Bulletin Board. It sounds like you’re dealing with a difficult situation with your grandma and we’re glad you decided to reach out. No one deserves to be put out or called names.

As far as your question regarding whether or not you can leave without calling the cops, it matters whether or not your grandma is your legal guardian. If you would like to discuss this issue, please call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). We are not legal experts, but may be able to help you figure out what you are able to do. You could also contact a legal aid organization. Click this link (http://napaba.org/napaba/showpage.asp?code=legalaid) to find one in your area, or you can contact us and we can help you find one.

If you are interested in help with your eating disorder, you can get support at the National Eating Disorder Hotline - 800-931-2237. They can assist you in finding treatment and support groups that may help you through this difficult time.

Would you like to talk to us about your situation? You are welcome to either call our hotline (1-800-RUNAWAY)or visit our homepage, www.1800runaway.org, and click on the red Live Chat button. Live Chat is open every day from 4:30 to 11:30 pm CST. Thank you again for reaching out and good luck.

-NRS

[Unregistered]

tired of it

So I'm 15 in the state of Ohio and for the past almost 8 years I've been putting up with my step dad's BS and he's always verbally abusing me like calling me a lazy little ********** a loser and he calls me biological Alex because my real dad raped my mom and because he did what he wanted I get called that when I do things I want like go places and do things with my family members who he hates. He has hit me and threatens to all the time he doesn't treat me like my step brother and sister and my mom does nothing about it so I plan on running away is there any advice you could give me and talking doesn't work it just pisses my mom off

[ccsmod11]

re: tired of it

Hello and thank you for contacting the National Runaway Safeline. From what you have stated, it sounds like you are really in a difficult and hurtful situation. No one should be treated in that way and I am sorry you are going through this. I can understand why you feel running away is what you should do. Have you told anyone else about what is going on at home or do you have someone who supports you and is someone you trust that you feel could be helpful for you in this situation with your stepdad? It seems as though you are looking for somewhere to go where you will feel accepted and cared for, not hurt or made to feel bad about yourself. What about reaching out to a family member or friend, could you possibly stay with them, maybe not permanently, at least for chunks of time so you are not in the house as much. Another option could be finding things that help keep you calm, a hobby or interest, also what about joining some groups whether at school or in your community where you can go and get away for a while. I hope this helps and we are here 24/7 on our crisis hotline 1-800-RUNAWAY or 1-800-786-2929, if you ever need to talk to someone or you can use our online chat services as well. Take care and thank you for contacting the NRS.

[Unregistered]

I'm in need of some where to go.

About 8 months ago in February me a and 2 friends snuck out to meet a 17, 21 and 20 year old boys. The two older ones of which were black, the youngest white. I am 13, and my friends that made me go with them were 15 and 16. The boys made us go to a motel where there was a party but when we got there it wasn't a party and it was just us 6. Now that I look back the boys were purposely making us get drunk by telling us we were light weights and that we should see who could drink the fastest while they never drank. To fast forward: the next morning I was in the police department getting questioned because my 15 year old friend was raped by the 21 year old and I, regrettingly had sex with the 17 year old. My step dad and mom were furious as they has every right to be. I was their youngest girl and I was always the most well behaved. But I obviously got grounded as I still am to this day. It was 8 months ago. Being grounded in my house means no phone, no electronics, no going anywhere. I was extremely depressed the last 8 months and have been thinking to live wih my dad in Mosourri. Truth is my mom is abusing me verbally. She's called me a slut a whore and all the names in between. I talked to my dad and he said he is paying for my ticket. I told my mom that I was thinking of doing so as she introduced the idea, she didn't care an told me to find out who would pay for the plane ticket as I now live in Michigan. My dad is a recovering alcoholic but has been sober for a long time and has a wife who gets paid alot. He has the money but my mom told me he doesn't and I he doesn't than I'm not going. I have an iPod that I am currently on and neither my mom not stepdad knows I have it and I talk to my biological dad on it and he is tellin me I'm leaving in the next week. If I leave my home without my mom knowing can the cops send me home?

[ccsmod1]

RE: I'm in need of somewhere to go

Hello,

Thank you for reaching out to us and sharing your story. It sounds like you really went through an ordeal 8 months ago, and you are still living with it. It is understandable that you would be feeling depressed. If you need someone to talk to about the incident you wrote about, you can always call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) for a listening ear. You can reach us through our live chat between the hours of 5:30pm and 12:30pm in your time zone. Another resource that might be helpful for you is the RAINN hotline (Rape Abuse Incest National Network). They are another great crisis hotline for survivors of sexual violence. The phone number for RAINN is 1-800-656-4673. If you want to, you can talk to them about what happened to you and to your friend.

It sounds like you have had a really hard time at home since this happened. You said that your mother is verbally abusive. We are very sorry to hear that. Nobody deserves to be abused, belittled, or called names. It is your right to report this abuse if you wish. If you are interested in that, we can help you through the process and file a report for you. We can also look at some of your other options. All of our services are anonymous and confidential, and we are here to listen and support you in any way that we can. It is understandable that you would want to live somewhere else.

You asked what might happen if you leave home. If you run away, then your mom could file a report with the police, and the police could take you into custody and make you go back home. Your dad could also get into trouble. Is there any way that you or your dad can convince your mom to let you move, or talk to your mom about how you feel? It might be easier to improve your situation by talking then it would be to get away with running. If you want to talk to somebody about your options and plans, please try to give us a call or contact us during the hours of chat. We can help you figure out what you want to do. We are looking forward to hearing from you and providing you with resources and options during this difficult time.

Best of luck,

NRS

[Unregistered]

please help me !!!!

my girlfriend is pregnant and we have gone through this before......but the first time she had a miscarriage because she would always stress about me not being able to see her to take care of her while shes going through her pregnancy like I am suppose to. My father does not approve of me going to live with her. Knowing that I'm only 16 I feel like I'm stuck. My dad won't let me see her, ima have a child with her, but I feel emotionally messed up because I feel like I need to be there to help her go through the pregnancy because she can't do it alone. I love this girl. I really do, and I am really thinking this runaway through. I need to be there to help her contractions and things but my dad doesn't let me. I dont want to end up paying child support for the rest of my life. And thats what my dad wants me to do instead of being there for the baby. I think its wrong of him to make me pay child support instead of me being there for the baby. I feel like my father doesn't understand the situation. The only thing holding me back from running away is the law.......will I be found at my girlfriends specific apartment even though he only knows the apartment complex ?

If I am found will my girlfriends mom be in trouble for sheltering me without having custody? And will I be forced to go back home or will I have a choice ? I'm sure my girlfriends mother will take care of me good, I already talked to her about it. But my dad will not allow it and won't even let me explain anything. He's a stubborn old school dude so I won't get passed him with permission. I have to leave by force. Only thing I dont want is to get my girlfriend or my girlfriends mother in trouble.

[ccsmod1]

RE: please help me!!!

Hello,
Thank you for reaching out to us for help. It sounds like you are in a really difficult situation right now. It sounds like you are thinking about running away so that you can support your girlfriend through her pregnancy and to be there for your child. That must be a pretty stressful situation. You asked if your girlfriend or her mother would get in trouble for housing you. There are a few things you should know. It is not a criminal offence to be a runaway. If your dad reports you as a runaway to the police, then the police can search for you, take you into custody, and make you go home. We are not legal experts, and the laws vary slightly from state to state, but that is one potential outcome. However, harboring a runaway can be a criminal offence. This means that your girlfriend’s mother could potentially face criminal charges if she obstructs a police investigation into your whereabouts, tries to hide you from your guardians, or fails to report that you are with her. Depending on the circumstances and the laws in your state, this may or may not happen. If you want more specific information about the laws in your area, you can call your local police non-emergency number and ask.
It sounds like you are having a hard time with your father. Is there any way that you can work things out with him? You mentioned that he is stubborn. This sounds really frustrating and difficult, but it might be worth your while to try to convince him that you want to be involved in your child’s life. If you want to talk to someone about what you are going through right now, you can always give us a call at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). Our hotline is open 24/7 and all of our services are anonymous and confidential. We can help you figure out what your next steps will be and provide you with any resources and support that you might need. We also have a live crisis chat between the hours of 4:30pm and 11:30pm Central Standard time. We are here to listen and support you in any way that we can. We are looking forward to your call!
Best of luck,
NRS

[Unregistered]

BI

i recently came out to my family as to being asexual (I'm a male) most of my family accepts it except my mom,dad, and grandmother. they are trying to keep me from moving in with him and his family (we are both 17 & 1/2) i can't take it and i want to live over there but i was wondering can i even if I'm not 18?

[ccsmod9]

Re: Bi

We at the National Runaway Safeline would like to thank you for taking this brave step in contacting us. It must have been very difficult for you to admit that you are bisexual to your family. That surely took an act of courage. We are happy to hear that most of your family accepts your sexual preference. It must hurt to know that your mom, dad, and grandmother are not as accepting as your other family members. It also seems very frustrating that some members of your family will not accept your desire to move in with your partner and his family. You did a great thing by deciding to reach out to us for more support. We’re here to listen; we’re here to help.

You raised a good question! We at the National Runaway Safeline do not claim to be legal experts, lawyers, or other legal authorities. We encourage those seeking legal counsel to reach out to their local legal aid clinic. Since we do not know what state you currently reside in, the answer is that it depends on the state as to whether you are still a minor or an adult. The age of majority varies according to the state. To look up your state and see whether or not 17 year olds are considered adults, see the following links:

http://contests.about.com/od/sweepstakes101/a/agemajoristate.htm

or
http://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/e...ority_by_State.

If you are looking for a hotline tailored to LGBTQ youth and their needs, please contact1-888-843-4564.

If you do considered leaving home and moving in with your partner and his parents, please note that running away is a status offense and that the parents/guardians of minors who runaway can choose to file runaway reports with the local police. This means that the police could then find you and return you back home to your parents. Those adults who allow/assist runaway minors could then be charged with ‘harboring a runaway.’ Ultimately, the decision is yours and you know best your family’s anticipated reaction to your leaving.

Please note that we would be happy to discuss your situation more on our national hotline. We are confidential, anonymous, and available 24/7, 365 days a year. If you were to decide to give us a call, our crisis prevention specialists could listen to your story and assist you with developing a plan for your next course of action. Our phone number is 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929). In addition to crisis intervention, we offer a message service and conference call option where we mediate communication between you and your parents. We also have our daily chat service available from 4:30-11:30pm CST.

We want to thank you so much for taking the time to write to us! We hope that you continue to reach out to people, places, and other support systems when you feel frustrated and unheard. To know when you need support and to ask for help is a very mature skill. We wish you the best and hope that you receive all of the guidance and support you need when going through this difficult time. We also sincerely hope to hear from you soon!

Best Regards,

The National Runaway Safeline

[Unregistered]

Please Help

Hi My name is Samantha and Im 16 years old. In 12days on Jan 6, 2014 I will Be 17. I Live in West Virginia And My Mom has moved us around my entire life.. She has been drinking a 5th of Vodka Everyday for 19years.. She hits on me and screams and yells at me for no reason Actually its because of her drinking.. Im a full time student and my cousin has a normal home and has the room for me.. Its a very safe place.. Its not Safe to live with my Mom Anymore, I cant take much more.. Can I Legally Leave without it being considered that im a runaway?????

[ccsmod1]

RE: if i runaway can my mom call the cops?

Hello Samantha,
Thank you for reaching out to us for help. You can give us a call any time at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) if you need someone to talk to. It sounds like you are having a very difficult time at home right now, and it is understandable that you would not want to go home to your mother. One option that you might want to think about is making a child abuse report. If you would like to make a report, you can call us and we can talk you through the process and make a report for you. You might also want to speak to a lawyer about your options. We can help you find a legal aid resource. We are here to listen and support you in any way that we can. It must be very difficult to live in that environment, and we will help you figure out what options you have. We are looking forward to hearing from you!
Best of luck,
NRS

[Unregistered]

i wanna run away but im worried bout cops

So theres no reason to explain my life at home if im to the point of runnin away. Think you get it. But i have a whole lot planned and figured out to keep my life going. But if the cops only knew that id be going to a certain city or state, how thouroghly will they look?

[ccsmod1]

RE: i wanna run away but im worried bout cops

Hey,

Thanks for reaching out to us for help. We understand that you must be going through a really tough time if you are considering running away. If you do want to talk about your situation and what is going on in your life, we are here to listen and support you in any way that we can. It sounds like you are trying to plan ahead. We are really glad to hear that, and it is really smart of you to come to us for help. We can help you figure out if your plan is realistic and help you figure out what options you might have. We can also answer any questions that you might have. We are not legal experts, but we can give you a general idea of what could happen. It might help us help you if you tell us a little bit more about your plans.

You said that you are worried about the cops. If you run away from home and are reported missing to the police, they can search for you, take you into custody, and make you go home. Crossing state lines comes with added risks. It is difficult to say more than that without knowing more about what you intend to do. Police response can vary based on the situation. Besides being found by police, there are other factors that you might want to think about. As a minor, it is difficult to access many services without parental consent, and there are a lot of things that can go wrong when you run away besides being found by the police. If you have any questions or you want to talk about what’s going on, we are here for you. All of our services are completely anonymous and confidential. You can call us 24/7 at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) or contact us through our website, www.1800RUNAWAY.org, every day during the hours of our live chat program, which is open between 4:30pm and 11:30pm Central Standard Time. We can help you find resources and options that you might not know about in your community. Please give us a call! We are looking forward to hearing from you.

Best of luck,